The July 4th break is over but not before getting the family out on some backpacking on Mt. Mansfield. We broke in the kids' Deuter hiking backpacks this weekend with some low key, very scenic packing from Butler Lodge to Taft Lodge on the Long Trail. Friday's short buggy and humid hike was followed by a cool, windy and socked in summit and ridge hike along Mt. Mansfield. The sky opened into a glorious day for our decent after lunch. And we got to see the Stowe Balloon Festival from the deck of Taft Lodge after dinner. We also enjoyed meeting the Green Mountain Club's 2011 Mansfield caretakers. Of course we got to test more gear so we'll try to keep a live feed of product reviews and pictures over the next few days.
